title: Reconstruction of the helical rim with the rubber band-conditioned postauricular tubed flap: a case report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A case with posttraumatic tissue loss of the auricle is presented, where successful reconstruction with the aid of a tubed flap is achieved by gradual lysis within three stages.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Helical rim losses may be reconstructed with a tubed flap created from postauricular tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  The vascularity of the tubed flap was increased with the intermittent application of a rubber band tourniquet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a tourniquet before completing the third stage of the helical rim reconstruction may enhance the reliability of this procedure.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Plastische & Wiederherstellungchirurgie, Innsbruck, Austria. Anton.Schwabegger@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schwabegger
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Anderl
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ninković
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004431:Ear, External / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D012408:Rubber; D013524:Surgical Flaps
chemical_list: D012408:Rubber